Indian trespassing labeled 'very severe'

A Foreign Ministry official described on Monday the trespassing by Indian troops across the China-India border at the Sikkim section as "essentially different" to previous standoffs with Chinese border troops, as this time they crossed a clearly demarcated borderline between the two countries.

This incident is "very severe" as it goes against a "legally binding" boundary treaty, as well as the Charter of the United Nations and the basic principles of international law, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Photos taken on June 18, which the ministry has published on its website, show Indian troops crossing the demarcated Sikkim section into the Chinese territory of Doklam.